Gluten-free diet for children, fashion or need?

In recent months we are witnessing a nutritional fashion, cultivated by actors, actresses and celebrities, which is to follow a gluten-free diet. We believe it is necessary to emphasize that there are recognized diseases whose treatment is nutritional, and consists precisely in carrying out a rigoro

In recent months we are witnessing a nutritional fashion, cultivated by actors, actresses and celebrities, which is to follow a gluten-free diet.

We believe it is necessary to emphasize that there are recognized diseases whose treatment is nutritional, and consists precisely in carrying out a rigorously gluten-free diet. In this group of patients, composed of children and adults, this treatment is not a fad, but a necessity. At Guiainfantil.com we consider whether following a gluten-free diet for children is fashion or necessity.

Gluten-free diet for children, in what cases?

When is it necessary to carry out a gluten-free diet for children ?:

- Celiac disease is the permanent intolerance to gluten gliadin. This disease covers a wide range of clinical manifestations, most of which derive from the involvement of the intestinal wall. The typical celiac because the villi of the intestine, which is the place where food is absorbed, are damaged. However, there are celiacs with more subtle symptoms, such as osteoporosis, elevated transaminases, canker sores, etc. Its diagnosis is very well protocolized, and there are very useful tools, such as anti-transglutaminase antibodies and antigliadin deaminated antibodies, whose high reliability has made it possible to only biopsy the intestine of a small number of patients.

-Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a disease that is being talked about more and more, but whose first cases in Pediatrics have recently been described. As of today, its diagnosis is based on tests of suppression and provocation, with all the burden of subjectivity that it entails. These children, when they consume gluten, develop somewhat unspecific clinical manifestations (abdominal pain, irregular intestinal habit, joint pains, skin problems, blood problems, etc.), which disappear with dietary exclusion. There are researchers who claim that up to 10% of the population has this health problem.

- A less frequent entity than the previous ones is gluten allergy, whose clinical characteristics imply a mixture of digestive symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting) with the symptoms of any allergy (hives; edema of eyes, lips or ears) , respiratory distress). Its diagnosis is based on the clinic, as well as on skin tests and specific detection of IgE antibodies against cereals with gluten.

It is important to emphasize that children who follow a gluten-free diet can lead a completely normal and healthy life, as long as they follow current nutritional recommendations. It is also important to emphasize that, if there is no clinical indication, there is no need to not consume gluten.